Lock picking has always been one of the most challenging mechanics in Kingdom Come: Deliverance, and in its sequel, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, the situation hasn't changed. If you play as a thief trying to infiltrate restricted areas, or if you desperately need resources hidden behind locked chests, mastering the art of lockpicking is a vital skill.

Unlike other RPGs where lockpicking is reduced to a simple mini-game, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 makes this process somewhat more realistic and complicated, requiring both skills and patience and a lot of nerves spent. If you're struggling with this mechanic, our guide will help you master the basics and improve your lockpicking technique in KCD2.

How to Pick Locks in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Picking locks in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 boils down to finding the right position for the lockpick and maintaining its stability while rotating the mechanism. At first glance, the process seems straightforward, and in a way, it is. But after a few practical attempts, you'll realize that it's not that simple, requiring high precision and control of your movements. Let's step through how to pick locks in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.

Step 1: Obtaining Lockpicks

Before attempting to pick a lock, you need lockpicks. They are fragile tools that can be found in various ways:

• Purchase from blacksmiths, traders, and suspicious sellers.
• Find on the bodies of killed bandits or guards.
• Discover in chests or caches throughout the world.
• Receive as a reward for completing tasks.

Since lockpicks break easily, especially in the early stages of the game, it's wise to always have a stock in your inventory.

Step 2: Starting the Lock Pick

Find a locked door or chest and interact with it. If a lock is too difficult for your skill level, the game will warn you that you won't be able to open it. It's best to start with the easiest level of lock. If a lock is available for picking, a circular interface representing the lock's mechanism will appear on the screen.

Step 3: Finding the "Golden Spot"

In lockpick mode, you'll see a circular lock with a small cursor in the center. Your task is to move this cursor over the lock, searching for the lock picking spot. If you are getting closer to it, the cursor-point will increase in size, and at the right position, it will turn golden. This is the "golden spot" — the ideal position to start picking the lock.

The more difficult the lock, the more precise you must be:

• Easy locks have large "golden spots" that are easy to find.
• Difficult locks have tiny "golden spots" that require maximum precision.

Step 4: Rotating the Lock

After locating the "golden spot," it's important to keep it stable while rotating the lock's mechanism using the appropriate key (typically D for the keyboard) or D-Pad on the controller. The main challenge is maintaining the golden cursor in the correct position during the turn.

The logic is as follows: you hold the golden spot in the same position relative to the lock mechanism and rotate it. To do this, visually check for a reference point for orientation (often a lock tooth) and continue the movement.

• If you deviate too much from the "golden spot," the lockpick will start to tremble and may break.
• If you rotate too quickly or with uneven pressure, the mechanism will jam, and you'll lose progress.
• For more complex locks, you'll have to rotate the mechanism a full 360 degrees, making the process even more challenging.

Lock Picking Problems 

In theory and visually, lock picking is indeed a simple process, but in practice, it's more challenging. Cursor flickering during picking often complicates the process, so it's worth upgrading your lockpicking skills to minimize failures and simplify lock picking in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.

Additionally, utilize various skills while leveling up your character that provide different improvements for the picking process, such as: recovering broken lockpicks, reducing noise, etc.

Remember: characters react to your actions, so lock picking and your failures, which cause noise, can arouse suspicion and accusations of theft.

Lock Difficulty Levels

All locks in the game are divided by difficulty level:

• Very Easy
• Easy
• Medium
• Hard
• Very Hard

Your thievery skill determines whether you can pick a particular lock. If your level is too low, attempting to pick a high-difficulty lock will be almost impossible because the "sweet spot" will be extremely small. The more difficult the lock, the more you will have to rotate the mechanism, increasing the risk of making a mistake.

Tips for Improving Lock Picking Skills

Lock picking in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 can be challenging initially, but the right approach and practice will help you master this mechanic. Here are some useful tips that will come in handy:

1. Upgrade the Thievery Skill

The higher the level of thievery, the easier it will be for you to pick locks. You gain experience in this skill every time you successfully open a lock or pickpocket someone.

To quickly improve this skill, find a chest with a very easy lock and repeatedly pick it. For instance, one such chest is located in the Lower Samopesh mill, where you carried bags for the miller as part of one of the quests.

2. Use Useful Perks

As you level up the thievery skill, you can unlock special perks that will simplify the process significantly:

• Silent Fiddler, level 6: Reduces noise during picking and the loudness of a broken lockpick by 75%.
• Tool Master, level 8: Increases the durability of lockpicks, making them 15% more durable.
• Mischief Artist, level 14: Grants a +3 bonus to thievery and stealth for 120 seconds after a successful pick.
• Master Thief, level 18: Allows you to instantly open simple locks without a mini-game.

If you're struggling at the beginning of the game, the Silent Fiddler skill will help significantly reduce the risk of being caught.

3. Drink Quickfinger Potions

Quickfinger potions temporarily boost your thievery and crafting skills, considerably easing the picking of difficult locks.

To brew it, you will need: 2x Eyebright, Valerian, 1x Cobweb. Brew it at an alchemy table for a temporary bonus.

4. Be Cautious

Lock picking is a crime, and if you're spotted, you could face a fine, be jailed, or even provoke aggression from guards. Before attempting, ensure that:

• There are no NPCs nearby who can catch you.
• You're dressed in dark clothing to remain unnoticed.
• You pick locks at night when there are fewer witnesses.

5. Stock Up on Lockpicks

Lockpicks can be found in various places, especially early in the game with the beggar girl Baria or in Kreysel's mill. If you're running low on lockpicks, you can obtain them by purchasing from blacksmiths, traders, and smugglers, robbing bandits or guards, finding them in chests or on shelves.